Dear Friends,
August is the month of the Edinburgh Festivals. The city will be teeming with visitors and tourists alike – all here to enjoy the beautiful sights and the wide variety of performances by dancers, actors, comedians and celebrities.
This year Phil and I are booked to go and see two shows: a regular visiting group do improvisation and also Shakespeare for Breakfast where one of the bard’s plays is taken and reinterpreted with hilarious results!
We both enjoy live comedy and regularly book tickets. And over the past few years we’ve noticed that the trend for stand-up comedy no longer centres on the skill of ‘telling jokes’ but rather now focuses on an experience in the life of the comedian. For example, an evening with Dara O’Briain centred on the story of his adoption as a baby in Ireland. More recently, Rhod Gilbert focused on his experience of having throat and head cancer. And last week we saw Rev Richard Coles (not strictly a comedian) who entertained us with stories of his life as a pop star, radio presenter, vicar and now author of murder mysteries.
You might think some of these subjects do not particularly lend themselves to entertainment and laughter – but I have to say that the way they all told their stories resulted in three very enjoyable evenings which were filled with laugh-out-loud moments.
Stories are so important. Telling stories has been part of our culture for thousands of years. Our fascination begins when we are told stories as little children… to reading books of our own… and then to hearing life stories of friends and family. One of our most popular features in this magazine is our Parish Profile where members tell their own story of life and faith.
Stories move us. They have power. They often connect us with each other in common experiences or help us to understand another more fully. If we tell of the story of our faith, including our doubts and wonderings, this can encourage others to share what God has done in their lives, or where they are struggling. The story of our faith connects us with true selves… and with the Divine.
The Gospel is one often called the greatest story ever told, and indeed Jesus was the Master of all storytelling in His parables and teaching. Our Bible tells the story of the relationship of God and God’s people… a story which is ongoing and ever deepening day by day. And our story of faith is a continuation of this…. for, in its re-telling, we are witnessing to God’s activity in our lives.
So, we should not be shy of telling our stories. They need to be told. When I visit, I love hearing your stories – which I am sure you all do as you get to know one another better. I would encourage you to share your faith stories… they are a much more powerful witness than any lecture or theology book read.
So, make stories this August… cherish them and enjoy sharing them with others.
with love,
Liz